State Visit by President Halimah Yacob to Kazakhstan, 21 to 23 May 2023

President Halimah Yacob was received by His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Akorda Palace this morning. Prior to the State Luncheon hosted by President Tokayev, both Presidents co-chaired a delegation meeting to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international developments.

During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between Singapore and Kazakhstan. They welcomed the frequent exchange of high-level visits and agreed that there was scope for the two countries to expand collaboration in many areas including trade and investment, skills development, energy, logistics and supply chain connectivity. President Tokayev also updated President on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and encouraged Singapore companies to participate and take advantage of its development. On air connectivity, President Halimah welcomed Air Astana’s plans to launch direct flights to Singapore as this would boost tourism and people-to-people ties.

The Presidents witnessed the signing of two agreements and two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) [see Annex] including the Agreement of Trade in Services and Investment under the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and the MOU on Capacity Building for the five Central Asian countries (C5).

Following the delegation meeting, President Halimah was presented the Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class by President Tokayev. President Halimah expressed her appreciation to President Tokayev for the award which reflected the close friendship and goodwill between Singapore and Kazakhstan.¹ President Halimah invited President Tokayev to make a State Visit to Singapore.

Later this evening, President Halimah will be hosted to dinner by His Excellency Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, following their participation at the closing ceremony of the Kazakhstan–Singapore Business Forum.

¹                      Then-Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was conferred the same award in February 2012.

.    .    .    .    .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

22 MAY 2023

.    .    .    .    .

Annex

List of Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding Signed

Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Singapore

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Cooperation on Capacity Building Programme for Government Officials of the C5 countries

Cooperation Agreement between Astana International Financial Centre and Enterprise Singapore

Memorandum of Understanding between Joint-Stock Company Center for Trade Policy Development (QazTrade) and Enterprise Singapore

.    .    .    .    .